This novel felt like the 19th-century gothic version of the Jerry Springer Show.

Disturbing. Machiavellian. Could not look away.

This book felt like five snowballs slowly gathering speed as they roll down a hill until they converge and become an avalanche. I struggled to feel attached to each individual snowball since the story kept jumping around (and maybe also because the writing had a vague "American man" flavor I don't always connect with, even when it's well-written), but I loved the metaphorical avalanche in the end and how everything connected.

In essence, the novel is cleverly constructed with some beautiful final scenes that make the scattered beginning worth getting through!

Every single book in this series is a banger. It's refreshing, since I'm used to series that deteriorate in quality or at least become more tropey with each additional book. But in this case, the story has only grown stronger!

Five stars for the art duel alone, which made me laugh out loud. And also for continuing to hold my attention with so many fascinating characters and plot twists!

"Book 1 is hilarious. Book 2 is bloody," my daughter warned me before I started reading this book. "Which one do you like better?" "Book 2. It's more action-packed." Although I thought book 1 had a lot of action too, I can see what she meant since book 2 has a richer plot and more emotional depth. There is indeed blood, but it's not a horror. It just explores trauma a little more and gives the characters more complexity while still being entertaining.

If every book in this series were as light as the first one, I'd probably lose interest despite the excellent writing, much like I get bored with sitcoms because the comedy is so predictable. But happily, this series has so many curveballs, dancing between humor and depth, I am hooked.

My 10-year-old daughter loves this series and told me I'd probably love it too. She foisted the first book on me, more or less, and I'm so glad she did because she was right! It might be the most entertaining graphic novel I've ever read, very funny, clever, and imaginative. The creator, LambCat, is nothing short of brilliant!